worried and confused

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renee 25

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Hey everyone. I went to the urgent care Dr. yesterday and was told I have asthma. All she did was hear my symptoms and checked on my finger the oxygen levels in my blood. Also of course when I was there I wasn't wheezing and she said my lungs sounded fine. I was prescribed a weeks worth of oral steroiRAB, ProAir HFA inhaler and Zyrtec.

I just moved to TN from Louisiana. I noticed the other day when I was exercising inside...not outside! That after I was done I was coughing, dry nose and throat yet I felt mucous in my throat after coughing, wheezing really hard, chest tightness and felt like my throat was closing even though I could breathe. Most subsided after about 20 minutes. After this I have had a few small espisodes of wheezing and coughing. Just felt like I couldn't get enough air. And the final straw two nights ago was I was talking to a friend and laughing a good bit. Before I hung up I started to feel it was hard to breathe. Then I started coughing and wheezing. I boiled some water and breathed in steam it seems to help relax the cough but even after multiple times of breathing in the steam I was wheezing for a hour and a half after the phone call. Also ever since the day I worked out...at night I felt like it was hard to breathe and felt congested. Also seemed to have a post nasal drip.

Now I know I am having anxiety about this. I have a lot of other stresses right now in my life. And the whole breathing problems seem to have made it worse. Especially at night. I lay in bed thinking about my breathing. Worrying....feeling a little panicky. But I also feel this way most of the day. But it is worse at night to the point where I am not really sleeping. I just pass out when my body is just too tired. So because of this I don't know what KEY signs to look for. Is it anxiety? Am I having asthma issues?

The biggest issue as well is when do I use the inhaler? It says use every 4 to 6 hours. But I haven't really felt like I needed to use it. So what are the signs that I for sure need to use the inhaler? I find this really confusing. I also feel really nervous about using the inhaler. But regardless just don't understand when I am suppoesd to use it.

Also why the oral steroiRAB for a week?

And experience with Zyrtec?

And will move back to Louisiana help me? It seems to obviously be something here. I never had these symptoms like this back home.

I did buy a humidifer and found that last night I didn't seem to wheeze as much. But when I woke up this morning like the other mornings before the humidifer...my lungs still felt sore and I heard a little wheeze here and there.

Again I know I am having a lot of anxiety. And I don't know if its anxiety or asthma. Like which one at which time. I feel so confused. I also live alone..don't know a soul here. Sometimes I feel so worried and scared its like should I call 911? Almost feel panicky with any small sign. I try to calm down but then just find myself focusing on my breathing.

Since I just moved here I have a appointment with a primary care Dr. on Feb.11. I plan to tell her everything. Should I push for more tests regarding the asthma?

Sorry this was long and sort of rarabling. I just feel really sort of scared and living alone makes me feel worse. Any input and advice would be appreciated.
 
If you truly have asthma, you need to be on a daily preventive med, none of which are the ones you were given. The inhaler you have is what we call a rescue inhaler for when you are having an asthma attack. You need to see a pulmonologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
 
It could be the stress of the move that brought on the asthma flare up so ndon't worry about moving yet . And take you're rescue inhaler 20 miniutes before you workout...you'll feel much better. Get your family doctor to send you to a lung specialist if you have any questions or concerns that your GP can't awnser.
 
renee,
sorry you are feeling so lonely and scared. it sounRAB like anyone in your situation would so don't apologize for rarabling.

It was good that you went to urgent care and they took you seriously and even better that you are seeing your new primary care doc next week. Hopefully she can get you on some maintainance meRAB. The ProAir is as Titchou said usually used when you are having an asthama attack or can be used prior to exercise to prevent one. The steroiRAB - probably prednisone- will clear the inflammation in your airways. What you need is a long acting inhaler taken daily. I take Asmanex. You might also benfit from taking Singulair which i also take - it helps asthma as well as allergies.

I totally understand the shock of being told you have asthma - that is exactly how I found out 10 years ago at age 48 after dealing with a nagging cough and wheeze for a month. Hopefully you new doctor will be able to manage your astham or advise you to see a pulmonologist to manage it. Do you need a referral to see specialist or ddoes your insurance allow you to self-refer. If so you might want to make an appointment now with a pulmo.

Best of luck - dealing with your asthma and adjusting to your new home.
Keep your chin up and if you feel short of breath reach for your inhaler or go to the ER if you are worried.
 
If a laughing fit brings on a attack, use the rescue inhaler. That's what it is for! The zyrtec is an antihistamine. Some people have allergy induced asthma and the antihistamines help with that.
 
Thank you so much for you replies/advice. It really helps. I do realize I am having a lot of anxiety about this. Which makes it worse because you constantly feel with every breath...am I ok? Is this a attack?

I am also on Zyrtec. 10mg every night is when I was told to take it. What is that supposed to do?

Also I do find the humidifer helps some. But its been SO dry here lately that even running that I find it still to dry in here. But I can honestly say I haven't wheezed nearly as much since using it here.

I had been feeling better until tonight. A friend and I were laughing. And I started laughing hard. And then I felt it coming on just the cough and wheezing. Almost like I stired something around in my chest. I still feel it right now as I breathe...but its NOT like last time. The wheezing isn't NEAR as bad. But right now my chest does feel a little tight. And I stopped coughing but still feel that tightness wheeze in the middle of my chest.

Is it ok to use Vicks vapor rub? I found that actually has helped me feel like I can breathe somewhat better.

Also I haven't felt like I really needed to use my inhaler yet. I am sort of nervous to use it. I feel like if I use it and it makes me go into a attack I wouldn't know what to do then? Again I see the anxiety issues with it. Just confused and still a little frustrated.
 
Renee,

not sure about the vicks but I wanted to add a warning - do not be alarmed if after you use the ProAir inhaler you feel a little jittery or weak in the knees. It is a common side effect and passes for me within 20 - 30 minutes. If you have never used it before I don't want you to worry and think that the inhaler made you worse.

that's good the humidifer is working - my pulmo wants me to get one so that was a good call
 
Thank so again for all your advice/input.

I actually just ran out to the store for 20 minutes and felt ok. But then being away from the humidifier I started to feel lightheaded and then on the way back I really started to feel a little wheezing. So I am feeling really frustrated that I feel trapped living here.

I plan to also ask my Primary Dr. about seeing a lung specialist ASAP. I don't see my Primary DR. until Feb.11. I am not sure if I have to have a referrel or not. I have blue cross blue shield. So have to figure this all out. I am also worried it could be a long time until I can get a appointment to see one.

I tell you not being able to be out and about. It really makes me want to just drive all the way back home to Louisiana. Almost makes me feel like a prisoner.

Oh and one more thing I noticed...ever have any strange sensations around your tounge and mouth? Like almost a tingling buring sensation. I am starting to wonder if I am just allergic to something here. Need to make a appointment with a allergist soon.

Again thank you so much. I know I am worrying about a lot. Just feel still so frustrated. I appreciate the advice so much.
 
HI Renee,

Sorry you're having a difficult time. :(

I know exactly what you mean by not wanting to use your meRAB. I found out I had asthma the same way; had a cough that was making me wheeze and was getting worse. By the time I saw a dr, I couldn't speak in full sentences because of the cough and wheezing. Even so, I was hesitant to take the meRAB and waited another 2 days before taking ANY (I had some relief because they gave me a nebulizer treatment in the office).

I was worried about side effects, that I would the one person to have that rare bad reaction, etc. I finally tried it, at work where I knew I would be surrounded by people to help and closer to emergency services than I would at home. All was fine. The albuterol, for the first 3-4 weeks, made me very jittery which is disconcerting but as long as you expect it, is tolerable. That goes away as your body gets used to it (for the most part; I still occasionally get the jitters if I take it before exercise but don't get started exercising within 15 minutes).

I too get symptoms from laughing hard, which can be erabarrassing at first, but take your meRAB as soon as you notice the change in your breathing. That is asthma and should be treated quickly to keep it from getting worse. Take your daily meRAB too, and know that it can take several weeks (took me 6-7) before you're "normal" and using the albuterol much less often.

As for the tingling around your mouth...that's probably panic/anxiety. Please discuss with your doc on the 11th and possibly get some anti anxiety meRAB or coping suggestions. I've had panic attacks in the past, and they occur for me, more often when in a seemingly non-stressful situation, than when I know that I'm stressed.

Hang in there...soon you'll recognize the difference between asthma and anxiety, and know how to treat each one. Come back and let us know how you're doing along the way.
 
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